TO-THE-MOON Rocket Pin

While you may or may not have participated in the GameStop stock run up, or the other so-called “meme stocks” to follow, there’s a good chance you’re seen an appearance of the popular rocket emoji. Perhaps it was even accompanied by the phrase “TO-THE-MOON.” Although I have no idea where this stock trading strategy will eventually end up, at the very least it helped give birth to an awesome PCB pin design.

This rocket PCB, available from Tindie seller Californa STEAM, runs on a 1225 coin cell battery and uses an ATtiny412 to control four reverse-mounted LEDs that light up the engine flame. These little devices could make a nice light-up accent to your backpack, purse, shirt, or whatever other surface you have available.

A single pushbutton is used to turn the pin on and off, as well as cycle through one of four patterns: LAUNCH, THRUSTING, BURNOUT, and COASTING. PWM control regulates LED brightness, and as seen in the video below, the engine effect is quite fun. Despite being a fairly simple apparatus, it’s a great example of PCB art. Of course, if you weren’t satisfied with the stock four patterns, one might even be tempted to reprogram the ATtiny412 chip for your own purposes!